Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-25

Riddleberser,s statement.

RiddlebefGer'S statement
United States Senator Riddleberger has
published statement Of the causes leading
to his recent Imprisonment and rescue. He
declares that reports of his incarceration and
the troubles leading to it were greatly exag-
eerated. The case which got him into trou-
bIe wss one of numerous cases he had had
in which man named Moore and a man
named Wetzel were interested. W. w.
Jones was indicted for stealing rails from ].
L. Burner valued at twenty cents, and for
stealing rails and posts from j. l.. Burner
valued at one dollar. Moore was on the
special grand jury that indicted Jones. The
former had on q previous occasion had Jones
arrested for trespass, which otfense, the
Senator declares, consisted in picking pint
OF blackberries on Moore's farm. The Sen
ator characterizas Moore and Wezel as
1.-TWO pulpitess preachers" Moore, be says,
was also on the grand jury that indicted
Jones for stealig rails. Continuing, be says:
II was sent for 10 appear for Jones. re
turned answer that was not in physical
condition to walk to the courthouse and try
case. Importuned by another and a third
messenger, concluded 20 go, and did so.
On arrival, found five of tine fraternity had
volunteered for the defense. These were
Gen. Williams, Judge Allen, Messrs. Walker
81 Keller, and Mr. w. w. Logan. None had
hope of fee. The case was misdemeanor,
even the one dollar valuation being an eXag-
ceration. The attention of the court was
called to the fact that there was no prose-
cutor marked, and request made that this
be inquired into. The court inquired Of
Moore, who higged and shirked. Wetzel
was called and did likewise. AT this point
the real animus of another than Moore be
gan to how ITSELF For the same reason
| that I had hesitated to leave home / had to
quickly quit the court house. On my re-
turn | heard that my friend Gen. Williams
had asked the court to assign counsel; that
The court had named Judge Allen. who de-
clined, and that Gen. Williams accepted.
On account Of my peculiar relations to the
case, and former defense Of the client, l re-
manned with the other four or five attorneys
Necessarily absent again for q very
brief period, l returned to find that the plea
of insanity had been filed, and the common
wcallh's attorney On his feet arguing for its
acceptance on the ground, as | believed,
and still believe, that he knew he could not
convict, and that this would consign Jones
to long Imprisonment, 10 the qualification
| oil the nieSilpg prosecutors.
"This is the particularly unpleasant part
of this statement. / differed with my col
leagues, believing, as had q right to do,
thnt was the employed counsel in the case
aud my responsibility as such could not be
relieved, after appearance, by an ORDER as
signing other counsel. l argued against the
plea OF insanity, and for a verdict of not
| guilty The jury rendered verdict that
the accused is insane. The question was
raised as to whether Insanity existed at the
time of the alleged commission of the of
Tense. Ply sicians testified, and second
verdict was rendered for the defendant on
the plea before mentioned. All done in less
time than the printer can put this in type.
Then followed the wonderful placard, by
whomsoever written or in what language, is
fair delineation of the oddities, cruelties
and tyrannies Of this momentous trial. A
rule was at once issued requiring me to show
cause, &C., and this was served on an aged
mother at my home when | was at no time
beyond the crier's call. To this time l have
not seen the rule, as she was in the act OF
leaving my home at the moment she received it.
But learning of its existence, appeared in court
and stated that had heard of tho rule. Without
further hearing l was fined and committed for
i've days. l asked for a hearing about the pla.
card. l asked for jury to inquire into its au-
thorship, but all to no purpose. l walked out
with the sheriff amidst great confusion, not to say
noise, and before reaching the exit door was So
norously informed that five days were added for
resisting an officer. Once at the Jail, was over
whelmed with kindness by citizens generally. 1
myself suggested that the bed furnished by SOME
ladies' should be put up stairs whore other prison
ers are kept, and this was DONE
"Now, as 10 the matter Of the rescue. 1t simply
amounts to this that a number of young friends,
entirely irrespective of politics, to the Jail,
and demanded that should do MS they directed.
After half an hour MORE of conference with
Mrs. Shull and others, l thought it best for all
concerned including tho Judge, to 20 out On
Monday morning returned of my own volition.
That l was examined by two physicians is not
correct. have learned that all the physicians
of the town recommended that l should not be
| without examination